dgj017 Community Centers of the Future, Denmark, DK , 2002

The community centre of the future will be an architectural narrative. It is the interaction of the architecture, the landscape, the users, and the events taking place in the space. It is the stage for an architectural and social play of everyday life. The stage set consists of an open space which is activated, changed, reconfigured, and occupied in innumerous different ways by the architectural and human characters.

Architectural Characters

The several user groups and individuals of the community will fill the centre with all sorts of activities. To host all the activities, a variety of spatial configurations and equipment is needed. This is provided by the architectural characters, which can be understood as functional units or components of the building. They are actors in a play, and at the same time modify the stage set in interaction with the user’s activities.

According to the site and the specific needs of the several communities, some characters or elements can be left out, and others can be added or increased in size or number.

Stage Set or Spatial Framework: the stage set is the architectural and constructive framework of the community centre, and also the core of its identity, because of its permanent character. It is formed by the permanent elements of the centre consisting of a roof and a platform.

Mobile Screens and Walls can be used to subdivide the space.

The Kitcheneer is a mobile cooking unit. Not being used, it will retreat to the side of the main-space. For events where food is served but cooking itself is not an issue, it can form a spatial pocket in which the preparations are done. For cooking classes or cafes where a bar is needed, it can be rotated to face the main-space, so that everybody can participate in the activities. In the summer it can also move to the outside terrace for cooking or barbecuing outside.

Lounge: the lounge is formed by a series of lounge-chair-units, which integrate small tables that can be unfolded like the ones in aeroplane chairs. The chairs can be used individually, loosely arranged to groups, or be combined to form sofas and seating groups. They can also disappear when they are not needed.

Time and Scenarios

The concept of this approach is the integration of time into an architectural project. The project is seen as a series of events in time just as much as a series of spaces.

This understanding allows the community centre to incorporate and adapt to different functions and user groups over the course of the day, weeks or year. Therefore, the community centre has a highly flexible structure which can be adapted to all the different events.